The right to die<\/p>\n
Although euthanasia is not yet a national controversy, the
\nIndonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) has come to realize that
\npositive ideas are needed to resolve the issue. The complex
\nproblem will surely drag on from one discussion to another,
\nbecause it can be seen from so many angles. It also involves all
\nsectors of society.<\/p>\n
Australia was embroiled in a heated debate on the matter last
\nyear, after its Northern Territory government passed the world's
\nfirst euthanasia law which the Senate killed off nine months
\nlater.<\/p>\n
In the United States, a federal court blocked a voluntary
\neuthanasia law from taking effect in Oregon despite its approval
\nin a 1995 referendum. Similar measures were defeated in
\nWashington state in 1991 and a year later in California. Doctors
\nin the Netherlands may perform mercy killings within strict legal
\nguidelines, but euthanasia is technically illegal.<\/p>\n
The ulemas council has predicted such a serious controversy
\nunfolding here, and therefore one of its leading members
\npresented some ideas Tuesday which can be used as a guide in
\nstimulating national discussion on the issue.<\/p>\n
In a seminar on ways to face and take care of those infected
\nwith HIV\/AIDS, Islamic law professor K.H. Ibrahim Hosen said
\neuthanasia for people infected with the HIV virus was justified
\non compassionate grounds under Islamic law. He said this would
\nend their suffering and also curb the spread of the incurable
\ndisease.<\/p>\n
It is true that euthanasia would end the untold misery of not
\nonly those infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus but
\nalso those suffering from rare forms of cancer and other diseases
\nwho have no chance of survival. While many people have questioned
\nthe purpose of euthanasia and the effect it could have on those
\nleft behind, others have raised the question of whether it is
\nindeed not a good thing to peacefully end someone's suffering.
\nFor instance, should families -- many of whom are underprivileged
\nmembers of society -- be left watching their relatives die slowly
\nor be impoverished themselves because they have to shoulder the
\nfinancial burden?<\/p>\n
Answers to these questions must be sought and Prof. Hosen has
\nopened a path toward discussion. The HIV\/AIDS seminar recommended
\nthe council urge the government to sponsor an anti-adultery and
\nantihomosexuality bill in order to reduce the spread of HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
The seminar shows that the nation, particularly Moslem ulemas,
\nis still resourceful when it comes to facing the complex issues
\nsurrounding modernization and is open to discussion on ways to
\nend people's suffering.<\/p>\n
We are still waiting for other sectors of society to offer
\ntheir opinions on this issue. But amid the uproar of Australia's
\neuthanasia dilemma last year, church leaders fiercely opposed the
\nvoluntary law and the Vatican condemned it as \"a revolt against
\nGod, the author of life\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-right-to-die-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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